THURSDAY APRIL 11, 2013
JOBB SATISFACTION
BEST NEWSPAPER of the YEAR 2012
Abbotsford judo athlete Brandon Jobb is finding international success A28
your life your community.
A B B O T S F O R D
twitter.com/abbynews facebook.com/myabbynews
abbynews.com
Online all the time. In print Tuesday & Thursday.
Proposed towers draw opposition
Parking and neighbourhood environment among residents’ concerns Alex BUTLER Abbotsford News
Residents of the Horn Creek Trail area came out to oppose a plan to build two 26-storey towers on Gladwin Road at a public hearing on Monday. About 100 community members attended the hearing, with residents speaking against a bylaw zoning amendment for the residential and commercial development at 3068 Gladwin Rd., between George Ferguson Way and Maclure Road. The developer is seeking a group of bylaw amendments that would allow for a mix of commercial, residential and office space on the site, as well as reduce the parking requirements on the
site by 13 per cent. The site concerned by the high density would contain about 900 resi- of the development, which will dential units on a 9.6-acre be 10 times higher than the parcel. neighbouring homes. Joyce Harrison, who lives Donna Martin, a neighin one of the existing bouring resident, said 17-storey Regency Park the city’s zoning bylaw O E VID INE already allows for limited towers on Gladwin, ObNynLews.com encouraged council “not parking spots and reducab to trade trees for towers,” ing that number will be a saying that the Horn Creek problem. area is a “green-space gem.” Kevin O’Shea said he was not Paul Bradbury, who resides opposed to development, but in a neighbouring townhouse, asked council to consider propprovided council with a peti- erties in downtown Abbotsford tion with 75 signaand on tures in opposition to South the proposal. He said he is
Fraser Way as more appropriate for high-density projects. Several people also complained that the towers would block their views. Colin Hogan, the project’s architect, said he was pleased to see community members engaged with the project, but he wanted to clear up some misconceptions. Hogan said the site was previously rezoned to allow for six towers, a plan that was approved but put aside when the developer ran into financial difficulties. He said the current proposal from the developers – Ron Funk
CRITICAL REPORT
A5 A new study suggests
Metro Vancouver should move away from trash incineration
OFF THE RAILS
A4 Police hope to raise
driver safety awareness by releasing video of a railway crossing incident
Continued on A4
YMCA AFTERMATH
A7 Key figures comment after city announces controversial proposed project is indefinitely deferred
■ ■
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A27
■ Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 ■
Twin 26-storey towers on Gladwin Road between Maclure Road and George Ferguson Way are depicted in this artist’s illustration.
THE #1 SITE
FOR ANYTHING AUTO!
Over 1000 vehicles to choose from
WWW.FVAUTOMALL.COM
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A37
85¢
+HST
TOLL FREE
1-888-288-6529